A former member of the Hainesville Volunteer Fire Dept. has pleaded guilty to four counts of arson for a series of fires set prior to his arrest in September 2021.

Courtney Keel, 46, was sentenced to eight years probation, a $6,000 fine and 720 hours of community service in 402nd District Court.

However after the sentences were handed down last Thursday as part of a plea bargain, Erick Platen, attorney for Keel, filed a motion for a new trial.

He told the district attorney’s office that he thought his client was to receive deferred adjudication, instead of a probated sentence.

District Attorney Angela Albers explained that the four counts of arson to which Keel pleaded guilty were each read individually in district court, and District Judge Brad McCampbell asked Keel if he understood the terms of his guilty plea.

Keel had been charged with eight counts of arson, a second degree felony, for fires set in the Hainesville area, to which Keel would then respond.

He received two years probation for each of the four counts, a $1,500 fine for each count and the minimum 180 hours of community service for each count.

Under deferred adjudication, Keel could have had the charges removed from his record if he successfully completed the terms of the probation.

But under the terms of the plea deal offered, Keel was convicted of the charges and would have to serve the eight years of prison time if he does not complete the terms of the probation.

Those include staying away from the Hainesville fire department and its members and doing at least eight hours of community service each month toward the 720 hours.

Albers explained that Judge McCampbell will rule on the motion for a new trial.

The other four charges against Keel were dismissed as part of the plea arrangement.